- DICTIONARY OF CANADIAN BIOGRAPHY ARTICLE: Margaret Sharp Angus, “FAIRFIELD, WILLIAM,” in Dictionary of Canadian Biography, vol. 5, University of Toronto/Université Laval, 2003–. https://www.biographi.ca/en/bio/fairfield_william_5E.html#citations
- DCB profile notes:
- Businessman, office holder, and politician; b. 1769 or 1770 in Pawlet Township (Vt), third child and second son of William Fairfield and Abigail Baker; m. first Elizabeth Billings, and they had four children; m. secondly Clarissa Fulton, and they had three children; d. 6 Feb. 1816 at Ernestown (Bath), Upper Canada.
- In 1777 William Fairfield’s father, a farmer in southwestern Vermont who had managed to clear only a small portion of his 300 acres, lost much of his property to the American army that was advancing to meet the force led by John Burgoyne. The following year, after Burgoyne’s defeat in the Saratoga campaign, Fairfield Sr joined the loyalist corps later commanded by Edward Jessup.
- In 1779 his wife and children, including young William, moved to Machiche (Yamachiche), Que., and with the conclusion of hostilities in 1783 the entire family made its way to the lands west of the Ottawa River set aside for loyalist units.
- William was a prominent figure in this flourishing community. A partner with his brothers Benjamin and Stephen in Benjamin Fairfield and Company, William was involved in milling, shipbuilding, and merchandising.
- Besides serving as a justice of the peace and as a commissioner of the roads, he entered the House of Assembly in 1799 for the riding of Ontario and Addington.
- Son of United Empire Loyalist listed in Loyalist Directory: https://uelac.ca/loyalist-directory/detail/?wpda_search_column_id=2678
- Find a GRAVE: Cannot locate
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